NFL ROUNDUP | Training camp news and notes

Giants: Coach Jim Fassel and fullback Charles Stackhouse have patched up their differences following a practice confrontation. Stackhouse angered Fassel on Tuesday by throwing a punch at linebacker Dhani Jones after a scuffle between the players apparently ended. The second-year fullback stopped by Fassel's office later that evening. "He just wanted me to know that he's sorry," Fassel said. "I said, 'Stack, I'm trying to make an emphasis and I'm edgy about it. I don't want to see you get thrown out of the game.' Anytime somebody does that, I'm going to make an example of them, so at some point in time I can get it knocked off."Jaguars: Eight years after he was supposed to take over for Jerry Rice as the 49ers' top receiver, J.J. Stokes is finally getting his chance to be No. 1. Brought in to complement Jimmy Smith, Stokes must take Smith's place now that the five-time Pro Bowler has been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.Bills: The revamped Bills, bolstered by several off-season defensive additions in particular, have yet to play up to their promise. After beating Baltimore 20-19 in their preseason opener, the Bills took a step backward in last weekend's mistake-filled 37-24 loss at Tennessee. Buffalo was penalized 16 times for 178 yards, its defensive backfield was porous, its pass rush failed to record a sack and, most disturbing, its offense combined for only two first downs on its first three possessions. That's not good enough, specifically for a Drew Bledsoe-led offense that was supposed to be more in sync after last year's prolific performance. "We need to address some of the mistakes that we had, and we need to be a little sharper in our execution," Bledsoe said. "We've gotten enough done on the practice field. We just have to be able to transfer that onto the game field."Dolphins: Strong safety Arturo Freeman started every game last season, but newcomer Sammy Knight was promoted to the starting job before the first exhibition game this month. Freeman's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he talked Tuesday with team personnel chief Rick Spielman, who declined to release Freeman or give Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade. Despite his unhappiness, Freeman said he'll focus on trying to help the team. "I'm going to deal with lumps, I'm going to deal with bruises because I'm all about winning," he said. "I can't worry about the misjustice. My whole thing is to control what I can control, and that's come in here every day and work hard and get better."Redskins: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey did some light throwing for the first time this week, but it's still uncertain whether he'll play Saturday against Baltimore. Ramsey bruised the knuckle on his index finger in last week's loss against New England.Chargers: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson left practice on a cart Wednesday for the second time in less than a week, this time because of a bruised left heel. Toward the end of practice, Tomlinson took a handoff and had his body twisted while his feet remained planted. Tomlinson believes someone accidentally kicked his heel as the play came to an end. Last week, Tomlinson became dehydrated and overheated during a hot and humid morning practice.Ravens: Defensive end Michael McCrary will announced his retirement today, closing the book on an injury-filled 10-year career in which he earned two Pro Bowl nominations and a Super Bowl ring. During the off-season, McCrary had continued to work out in the hope that his oft-injured knees could respond enough so that he could play one more season. But in the wake of his retirement, there has been talk that he could instead serve on the coaching staff. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound McCrary was drafted out of Wake Forest in the seventh round of the 1993 draft by Seattle.Packers: Nose tackle Gilbert Brown returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since tearing a biceps muscle in a preseason game at Atlanta on Aug. 9. After participating in six full-contact plays, Brown said he felt the practice was a positive sign that the injury won't require surgery, which would likely sideline him for the season. There's a possibility he could play in Saturday's preseason game with Carolina at Lambeau Field.